Check-valve for hot-water systems.



PATENTED MAR.24, 1903 INVENTOR ATTORNEY J. J. LAWLER. CHECK VALVE FORHOT WATER SYSTEMS.

James .flawlel;

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 2, 1901.

UNITED STATES JAMES J. LAWLER, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

CHECK-VALVE FOR HOT-WATER SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 723,286, dated March24, 1903. Application filed December 2, l90l- Serial No. 84,324. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES J. LAWLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at 314 South Third avenue, Mount Vernon, Westchester-county,New YorkState, have in vented anew and useful Improvement in Check-Valves for Hot-Water Systems, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in check-valves as applied todomestic hot-water systems, the object being to produce such check-valveadapted to be connected in the return-pipe of the system near the supplytank or boiler, which valve is always open to permit a free flow backfrom the service toward the tank or boiler, but will respond to theslightest influence'of back pressure in the return-pipe-z'. e. pressurefrom the tank or boiler toward the faucets by way ofthe re turn-pipe--soas to instantly check any supply of water from that direction.

In the system of supplying domestic hot water, known in the tradebriefly as returncircuit lines, the hot-water pipe rises from the top ofthe hot-water boiler or tank to the various plumbing-fixtures in thebuilding, and'then near the highest point a branch is taken from thesame and carried back to the bottom of the hot-water boiler in order tocause the water to move by gravitation, so

that the instant of opening a hot-water faucet connecting with thecircuit the water will be found to be warm. In order that the water inthe circuit may fall back to-the boiler by gravitation alone-thedifference in the specific weight between that water which rises fromthe top of the boiler and that returning to the bottom of the boiler-itis necessary to have the entire circuit free from any obstruction, forthe reason that the power which causes the circulation is not 'ter.

sufficient to lift anything that sinks in wa- Hence my improved valve isso constructed that it remains open when in a normal position, thusallowing the water .to flow back to the boilerby gravitation. It is,therefore, necessary for the proper operation of such hot-water circuitsto be provided with a valve or other device which will antomaticallyclose against any return of water from the bottom of the boilerin orderthat the cold water at .that point will not flow ba'ck and mix with thewarm water at thefix ture's at times when Warm water is drawn. Myimproved check-valve fully meets these requirements.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical view,partly in central section, of my invention; and Fig. 2shows my valve inposition in a return-circuit system. Aindicates the body, provided atits upper end with an integral elbow 1 and adjacent its lower end in itsside wall with an outwardly-extending integral coupling-sleeve 2.

2 indicates an annular flange formed integral with the interior of thebody at the base of the elbow 1, said flange having its lower facebeveled, asat 3, to form a valve-seat.

Below the said flange is arranged a sliding valve 4,-l1avingguide-fingers 5 to keep the valve in a central position.

.6. is a valve-stem. The lower end of the stem is reduced in diameterand has a sliding 'fit in the center of the plug 7, which is removabl yscrewed into the bottom of the valvebody for the purpose of insertingthe valve, cleaning, &c.

The valve I prefer to make of aluminium. The shoulder 8 on thevalve-stem limits the downward movement of the valve.

Formed integral with the upper wall of the sleeve 2 and at its innerendis a downwardlyextending flange or deflector 9, which extends belowthe valve 4 when the same is in its unseated position. The said flangehas its outer face beveled, for the purpose hereinafter explained in theoperation.

JSuch' being the construction of my improved check-valve, the operationis as follows, reference being had to Fig. 2: When connected on returnofa system, as described, the valve will be open, as shown .in Fig. 1.When a number of faucets are opened simultaneously, the tendency of thewater in the circuit is to backup throughthereturn-pipe 10 to supply theextra drain. In such an event the water leaves the boiler 11-by way ofthe return -pipe 10 and enters the valve-body. The deflector 9 compelsthe water to enter the valve-chamber beneath the valve, which rises toits seat, as shown by dotted lines, and holds the water until such timewhen the fancets are shut off. The water in the circuit will no longerbe affected by the force ofwater drawn from the pipes and the Weight ofthe valve will fall to its normal position, leaving the passage openagain for circulation by gravitation.

Such being the construction and operation of my improved check-valve,what I claim as new 1S-" 1. A check-valve, comprising a body provided atits upper end with an integral outwardly-extending elbow, anoppositely-arranged sleeve formed integral with the side wall of thebody and in communication therewith, a valve-seat arranged within thebody, a movable valve, and a downwardly-extending flange formed integralwith the inner end of the said sleeve, said flange extending below theplane of the said valve at all times, substantially as described.

2. A check-valve, comprising a body provided at its upper end with anintegral outwardly-extending elbow, an oppositely-arranged sleeve formedintegral with the side wall of the body and being in communicationtherewith, an inwardly extending flange formed integral with the body atthe base of the said elbow, said flange having its lower face beveled toform a valve-seat, a movable valve, said valve being unseated when inits normal position, and a downwardly-extending flange formed integralwith the end of the said sleeve, substantially as described.

3. A check-valve, comprising a body provided with an inlet and anoutlet, an inwardlyextending annular flange formed integral with thebody at a point adjacent the valve-inlet, said flange having its lowerface beveled, a

plug having a longitudinal opening, a valve.

provided on its upper face with integral fingers arranged within thesaid flange, a valvestem having its lower end reduced in diameter andarranged in the opening of the said plug, and a downwardly-extendingflange arranged adjacent the said valve and extending therebelow,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 16th day of October, 1901.

JAMES J. LAWLER.

Witnesses:

GASTON E. CORDEAU, ROBERT M. A. ARMSTRONG.

